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Ok, so that's another draft done & dusted. Unlike previous years, Chadman has decided to post all the new Steelers workout numbers to see if we can find how they fit the Tomlin/Colbert draft pattern...

Height/Weight- The Steelers tend to avoid LB's that are too tall, or too heavy. In and around 6'0" appears to be the ideal height & 230-240lbs seems the Steelers target. This could be a leverage/agility reason, as the Steelers seem to be moving toward LB's that can cover TE's more during the Tomlin/Colbert era.

40 Yard- Between 4.6 & 4.7 seems to be about the right mark. Obviously, there are exceptions- generally lower, like Worilds who timed exceedingly well at 4.51.

Bench- The Steelers don't appear to have any strict guideline to the benchpress, but around 25 or so reps appears to be the norm. Obviously Spence finished well short of that, and got drafted anyway- but he claims to have been lifting with a damaged wrist, and normally puts up atound 20 reps. Might be worth disregarding this as a guide.

Vertical- vertical tests a players explosion, and it's no surprise that the Steelers value this highly. Look for players that jump 30" MINIMUM, and more towards the mid-30" range. Again, Jason Worilds tested out of this world.

Broad- Also tests a players explosion, and a broad jump of 9' & further is the area the Steelers tend to look.

20 Yard Shuttle- Again, another to watch. Tests a players agility- important if a LB is going to be dropped into coverage. The Steelers tend to look at players that test between 4.2 & 4.45 or so.

3 Cone- Like the Shuttle, this will test a players agility. Look for players that test between the 6.8 & 7 second range- or lower obviously.

So, what did we find out about Jones?

Obviously, his much documented 40 time is slower than any other LB drafted under Tomlin/Colbert.
His 20 Reps put him toward the lower end of results with Mike Humpal, Bruce Davis & Sean Spence.
His vertical of 30.5" is the same as Sly Sylvester, and comparitive to Humpal & Davis.
His broad jump of 9'03" is again at the lower scale with Davis & Sylvester.
His 20 Yard shuttle time of 4.71 has him placed last amongst drafted Steeler LB's.
His 3-Cone drill time of 7.46 has him equal last with Sean Spence.

In other words, while he passes, barely, 3 of the Steeler criteria, his measurables from his Pro Day are pretty grim.

Jones' selection does, however, fit nicely into 2 other Draft tendancies for the Tomlin/Colbert Steelers:

So the Steelers stuck with what they know- a junior, from one of their favoured divisions. And they stayed true to what seems to be a plan to alternate the focus from Offense to Defense every year in Round 1.

Chadman's conclusion on Jones is this- his on-field performance, his production, along with the factors of his level of competition & familiarity with the position (ie- not converting from DE) override what appear to be poor physical traits. Physically, he's Bruce Davis. Now- did Bruce Davis fail because he was deficient physically?

There is some risk to the Jones pick, based on measurables, but he doesn't look like a 4.88 guy. On the field, he seems much faster, more agile, more impactful. Here's hoping he's just a bad workout guy & his gameday persona is what the highlight reel show.